Dark Stories From Route 66

By Joy Boyd 11 months ago

1. This haunted lounge

Image Source: Trip Advisor 
This lounge and comedy club along Route 66 is known for a lot of paranormal activity. Cigars & Stripes in Berwyn reports multiple testimonials of things like bottles falling off shelves unprovoked, martini shakers flipping up into the air, and even a phone levitating on its own. The owner has reported that sometimes he hears parties happening in the building, and when he goes to check, there's no one there! Spooky!

2. Do you know what a natatorium is?

Image Source: The Nat
It's a word that describes an indoor swimming pool, which is what the Natatorium in Amarillo started out as. It was later filled in and made into a ballroom. The entire building is said to be populated with spirits, and guests often find cold spots in the rooms. People have reported strange noises and furniture being rearranged. There's a female ghost who roams the halls in a white dress with red stains on it. They don't call it Bloody 66 for nothing! There are over 100 haunts along this infamous road.

3. The Belvidere Mansion in Claremore

Image Source: Trip Advisor 
John M. Bayless died before he was able to finish building the Belvedere Mansion. His family completed the house after he passed and ended up living there for many years. The mansion is currently part of the National Register of Historic Places, and many visitors say that the family's spirits never left. Toilets in the building constantly flush on their own, and people often feel as if they're being touched on the shoulder when no one is there.

4. KiMo Theater in Albuquerque

Image Source: Wikipedia
Oreste Bachechi died just one year after finishing his dream project, the KiMo Theater which opened in 1927. The theater continued operating under a different owner, and many patrons have reported seeing spirits in the building. One ghost in particular is a woman wearing a bonnet who walks down the halls of the theater. She doesn't disturb anyone, but she doesn't want to leave its hallowed halls.

5. The Flapper Ghost

Image Source: Legends of America
Chicago in the 1920s was full of women in flapper dresses, drinks, and music. The story goes that along Route 66, you can see a young Flapper girl ghost. Her beauty is unmatched, and she haunts the area looking for days gone by. She can be seen under street lamps with her short brown hair and extravagant dress.

6. Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa

Image Source: Trip Advisor
This museum was curated as a passion project for Thomas Gilcrease. He passed away in 1962, but he developed a wide display of Native American artifacts. Museum patrons have said that Gilcrease is often still seen on the grounds. Staff have also said that doors frequently close on their own, and they have also said that ghost children are seen on site a lot.

7. Nothing like ghosts on the beach

Image Source: Reddit
The Georgian Hotel in Santa Monica is one of the most haunted hotels. It was originally built in 1933 as a hideaway for high society. The oceanfront hotel boasts many ghosts, both famous and non-famous. People have said that they can hear footsteps running when no one is there. Staff have heard people having conversations in the restaurant when it's closed, and there's even a friendly ghost who greets guests with a "Good Morning."

8. The ghost of Jesse James

Image Source: PBS
The Meramec Caverns in Stanton, Missouri became a famous hideout for Jesse James. Jesse was an American outlaw, robbing banks and trains. The Caverns have become a huge tourist attraction along Route 66, and many visitors say that they have seen Jesse hiding in the shadows of the tunnels.

9. Suicide Bridge on Route 66

Image Source: KPCC
This bridge was constructed in 1913, and people marveled at its beauty. But within 10 years of it being built, it had earned a new nickname as Suicide Bridge because of the number of people who had jumped from the 150 foot bridge to their death. Many people have claimed to see spirits walking the bridge, and they've also said that you can hear voices crying in the canyon below.

10. What do you expect from a cemetery though?

Image Source: Quora
Honestly, if you think a cemetery isn't prone to supernatural activity, then what are we even doing! But one ghost hunter said he visited Bethlehem Cemetery in St. Louis IN BROAD DAYLIGHT. He was sitting in his car reviewing the footage and recordings when all of the sudden, the car.. parked uphill, lurched so hard, that he was violently jerked forward. Clearly someone wanted him to leave!

11. Basically all of Navajo County

Image Source: Reddit
This county is home to a historic courthouse, and many have reported local ghosts who inhabit it. The most famous one is the spirit of George Smiley, who was the first and only man to be executed at the courthouse by hanging. Doors can be heard opening and closing on their own, and objects move on their own constantly. A woman and former prisoner named Mary is also said to haunt the area as she died in prison.

12. Springfield ghosts

Image Source: Reddit
When you travel along Route 66, you'll pass through Springfield, where there are several ghosts that haunt the town. Most famously, though, is the ghost of Abraham Lincoln. The story goes that he lurks around his tomb, which is now a state historic site. People have been spotting him around Springfield since he was laid to rest there.

13. Bissell Mansion

Image Source: FOX 2
Bissell Mansion is one of St. Louis's oldest historic landmarks. The story goes that Bissell Mansion has multiple ghosts who haunt the now Restaurant & Murder Mystery Dinner Theater. The original owner, Captain Lewis Bissell, also still haunts the mansion, who seems to want to keep an eye on his property. He's often spotted in the parking lot, watching over the house.

14. The haunting of Bristow

Image Source: Wikipedia
The town of Bristow has reported several haunting at a convenience store located at the intersection of Route 66 and 48. Employees say it's the stuff of Halloween films. One said that she was cleaning and all the lights turned off and the toilets started flushing. There have also been employees who say stuff will not just fall off the shelves, but be thrown off the shelves on their own.

15. A town built on a desert grave

Image Source: Reddit
Calico, California was a mining town known for its silver and borax. The owner of Knott's Berry Farm eventually bought and restored the town. There's a woman named Lucy Bell King Lane who still haunts the grounds. She's seen going into stores and even rocking in her old rocking chair, often in a long black dress.

16. The Luna Mansion

Image Source: Reddit
The Luna Mansion is located in Los Lunas, Mexico. While they're known for great food and desserts, there are also ghosts who have taken up residency. The most talked about is one who sits at the top of the stairs in a rocking chair, just rocking back and forth. Guests have approached the ghost, and she just simply vanishes. She also paces up and down the stairs, and the employees say it's so frequent they've come to tune it out.

17. Oklahoma 66

Image Source: Quora
The little towns all along Route 66 in Oklahoma have various haunting stories. A Native American student who died during a hazing ritual for the Military Academy is said to still haunt the halls, never finding peace. There's a humped back old man in a trench coat often seen walking the roads outside El Reno. And, when driving between Yukon and El Reno, there's an eerie white mist that will overtake your car as you drive. That is terrifying!

18. Bell Miller and the Inn at 835

Image Source: Reddit
This hotel in Springfield, Illinois was opened by a business woman named Bell Miller in the 1900s. Legend has it that she so loved this business that she simply refuses to leave. Both guests and staff tell tales of her friendly voice talking to them out of nowhere. They've even seen her floating through the hallways. One story even said that there was wallpaper peeling away and the next morning it was repaired, so staff believe she's still here caring for the house. Would you stay there?

19. The Weeping Woman

Image Source: Reddit
La Llorona (also known as The Weeping Woman) has been a legend in Spanish culture for a long time. This beautiful spirit with long black hair roams restlessly through rivers, screaming into the night in search of children to bring back to her watery grave. She's wandered far and wide, with many sightings off of Route 66 as she haunts the Santa Fe river.

20. La Fonda Hotel

Image Source: Reddit
So the consensus is that any hotel built in the early 1900s is likely haunted. Such is the case for La Fonda Hotel in New Mexico. This hotel has hosted many travelers due to its proximity to Route 66. The hotel was also used to hold executions (hangings) in the lobby. Yikes! There's a particular ghost of a distraught salesman who jumped into a well where the dining room now sits, and guests have said his ghost walks to the center of the room and jumps into the floor before disappearing.

21. The Museum Club

Image Source: Legends of America
The Museum Club is known by Flagstaff residents as The Zoo. It's a taxidermy shop turned museum... kinda creepy! Don Scott and his wife Thorna turned the space into a country western bar, but then Thorna had an accident and died, and Don committed suicide shortly after her death. The couple has never left The Museum Club and make their presence known to guests.

22. If you're in Flagstaff, may as well go here too

Image Source: Reddit
Weatherford Hotel in Flagstaff opened in 1900! The hotel boasts a beautiful ballroom where a lone woman ghost is often seen dancing. There is also a former bride and groom who got married at the hotel who seem to have come back for an extended honeymoon. One guest said they woke up in the middle of the night to find the bride and groom sitting on their bed!

23. Route 666

Image Source: Travel + Leisure
Route 666 isn't technically part of Route 66, but it's in close proximity. This stretch of highway is considered satanic and runs from Utah to New Mexico. People who've driven on this road have said they've been chased by rabid dogs who run supernaturally fast. There's also a creepy black car that chases people down the highway and then disappears just before impact. Would you drive down this road?

24. The friendly ghost hotel

Image Source: Wikipedia
There's a hotel along Route 66 in Arizona called Hotel Monte Vista. It's been around since the 1920s and people such as Bing Crosby and John Wayne have stayed there. These celebrity guests reported seeing friendly ghosts in their rooms. Other guests have said that they've heard a knock at their door, but when they go to answer it, no one is there. Spooky!

25. Clark Gable and his lover Carole Lombard

Image Source: Country Living Magazine
There's a hotel in Arizona called Oatman Hotel. It's located right along Route 66, and many people have passed through. Among the guests were Clark Gable and Carole Lombard. The legend goes that the couple loved their stay so much that for years after they both passed, staffers reported that the couple could be heard laughing and talking together when there were no guests staying in the room they frequented.

26. The ghosts of Rialto Theater

Image Source: Reddit
This theater in Joliet seems to be haunted by a few resident ghosts. Patrons have spotted a woman who they think was once an actress at the theater years ago. The consistent reports is that she is in her 20s and very pretty. People have seen her floating around the theater, especially when the theater was closed for shows. They think she wasn't able to find peace and leave performing, so she simply stays.

27. Another Rialto Theater, eek!

Image Source: Wikipedia
Apparently, if you want ghosts to haunt your theater, name it Rialto! As we discussed with the Suicide Bridge, Pasadena is no stranger to hauntings. This theater, built in 1924, maybe have closed its doors... with ghosts inside! The sad story goes that a young woman slit her wrists in a theater seat and passed away. People have reported ghosts shaking the bathroom stalls and an eerie red light on the theater screen.

28. The historic Red Garter Inn

Image Source: Reddit
This hotel located in Williams, AZ is still in operation, and it's become a hot spot for paranormal activity along Route 66. Guests have said there is a little boy ghost who paces up and down the stairs. The hotel was formerly occupied by "the women of the night" who are known to show up in guests' rooms in colorful dresses. Another ghost whispers "hello there" to guests as they pass by.

29. The ghost light

Image Source: Reddit
In Joplin, Missouri, you can see the ghost light, also known as the Hornet light. This paranormal activity has been around since the 19th century, and it's on Route 66 near the Missouri-Oklahoma border. On clear nights, passersby have said that a ball of dancing light is visible. While some say it's just due to atmospheric gases, local residents believe that it's something supernatural.

30. The haunted Lemp Mansion

Image Source: Reddit
The Lemp Mansion in St. Louis is considered one of the top 10 most haunted places in America. It currently operates as a bed and breakfast, and the house is said to be haunted by its former residents of the Lemp family. This house actually went viral when footage of the Lady In White ghost was seen nationwide. Could it be the ghost of Lillian Lemp?

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